Steve Ballmer, in a move not exactly challenging Microsoft’s unfortunate reputation as a bloated, last-generation software developer paralyzed by inertia, criticized Intel for focusing on multiple cores — a strategy Ballmer says “mandates and necessitates ongoing OS innovation.” Oh, no! Oh good heavens! What will we do? Design our OS that reflects (or influences!) the general trend of hardware and technology? Or… make the OS reflect the hardware and technology of a decade ago?

Microsoft is ceding a huge lead to OS X in this area, as Cupertino works to accommodate multiple cores in Snow Leopard, the first OS X release I’m excited about in years. Seriously, Ballmer — Intel is too big to bully, even for you. Adapt or die.